[Episode 30]
<Ningbo, Qing China - Some Years Later>
No, not here either.
No, not this way either.
I can't find it, master.
Kayong, forget it already.
How long has it been?
Forget it? Forget?
Where are your guts anyway?
Guts, she says.
Look, girlie, it takes guts to find a dumpling joint?
As compared to studying medicine?
Shush. Quiet.
I'm trying to remember.
Two years ago I turned here, then went right...
Kayong, forget it, one joint is like another.
Your old mentor is like to faint.
No. They got the dumplingest dumplings.
I'll find it if I have to search all over Ningbo.
Pushy...!
Where's that no-good Kwanghyon anyway?
He doesn't think about ME.
All right? Not hurt at all?
C'mere, sweetie.
What are you up to?
Oh, I found it.
There.
That's the dumpling place.
You're really something.
That's me. Pure guts and talent.
Dumplings, meat-dumplings, veggie-dumplings.
And dumpling-dumplings with extra dumplings.
For one. No, wait, for three.
Yes'm.
Dummy-pling.
Who's going to eat all that?
I will. All by my lonesome.
She will, too.
And we'll end up with nothing.
That's why we're broke.
She eats it all.
Pssh. Dumplity-dump-dumpling.
Even rude at dinner.
How I've missed you, darling dumpling.
Take it easy. You're disgusting.
Some girl you are.
Chewy-chewy dumpling. Yummy-yummy meat.
The aroma, my dumpling dance...
Ugh. No dancing for me.
What?
It tastes bad. What is this?
Disgusting hambone...
At least try to behave.
This one, too. It's ugh.
Am I right? Weird, huh? It tastes different.
I know. It was good the last time I had it.
Let's see, did they change cooks?
No, same guy.
It's different, it's changed.
And there's no customers, why is that?
Is it him? Is his wife stepping out?
Is it different?
It is. This is no dumpling, it's a dump, a dump.
Tastes fine to me.
But she's always weird.
No, no, it doesn't taste right.
It's success.
Success has ruined his cooking.
Sir, when do people's tastes change?
Old age, usually.
No, he's fifty if he's a day.
His taste wouldn't change if he's not ill.
Oh?
Then what's your diagnosis?
His what? Diagnosis?
May I give it a try?
You thought of it, it's yours to do.
Hurry. No time like the present.
A what now? Diagno-whatsis?
You don't look good. Get some rest.
Don't worry. I'm fine.
One moment.
What's the idea?
You feel ill, isn't that right?
You've felt light-headed?
Your tastes have changed?
It's known as Sialolithiasis.
That's why you're light-headed and the food is different.
Who are you anyway?
Different? My food is great. Get out.
Hang on.
This is serious.
You could die without treatment.
Out.
Hun, Hun...
You have sorghum spirits?
Wha..?
Well? Go get it.
Right, right.
Wait, he's sick? A Sialo-something?
Yes, that explains his face and his taste buds.
Why couldn't I tell?
Cause all you think about is feeding your face.
Now, let's see what he does.
What are you doing?
I have to operate on his tongue.
A stone is in the salivary gland.
He's in danger.
What? His tongue?
Don't worry. He'll be fine if he's treated.
Even so...
Let him work if you want him to live.
Or you'll end up a widow.
Here, let me help.
Nice. You surprised me.
Thanks for the assist.
Whatever it takes to get some yummy dumplings.
Nice work. You earned it.
But how did you know it was this?
You can just tell by looking, like our master?
Just by looking? I just got lucky is all.
Pssh, come on.
What about that fever and sore throat case?
You know your stuff.
I haven't learned nothin' from our master.
It's basic medicine here.
You're the problem, not me.
Pssh.
It's all right, it's fine.
Anyway, good work.
Sir?
I thought it would take you an hour.
You did it in half that.
Pretty soon I'll be learning from you.
Master...
See? You did good.
He's not one for compliments.
Guess I should start calling you sir.
You're better than me and that's a fact.
Oh? You'll start respecting me then?
Don't get carried away.
"Sir."
Rude hambone. Would it kill her to have some manners?
Come along, chop-chop.
We need to get to the magistrate's office.
Yes, master.
Sir, what are we doing at the magistrate's office?
How should I know if you don't?
You'd think the old coot would tell us.
His Imperial Magistrate.
Welcome, Venerable Saam.
Thank you for coming.
Of course. It's been too long.
Truly.
What? He's from Joseon?
Yes, I'm from your country.
My people were prisoners of war during the second Manchu invasion of Joseon.
But as chance would have it,
I managed to rise to a magistrate's office.
Pardon me a moment.
It's thanks to me actually.
I saved his life a few years back.
You did?
That's right.
If not for him,
I wouldn't be alive today.
And now I have to do it again.
Some disease they've never heard of.
Saam.
We've observed the niceties.
Now down to work.
What is this disease you wrote about?
Who has contracted it?
Disease?
My daughter.
She's married now. She contracted some strange disease.
My little girl is barely seventeen.
I reared her as best I could with her mother gone.
I sent her to one of the most powerful families.
But that's the problem.
I received word that she has a large lump on her side.
I've heard nothing since.
Nothing? Why not?
Perhaps her new family is ashamed of the disease.
They don't want anyone to know.
It's true. She's as good as a prisoner in her own rooms.
And you just sit here?
Let's go rescue her already.
That's enough.
It's a powerful clan.
Magistrate or not, he can't cross them, not yet.
They have tried to diagnose her.
But even the best doctors have failed.
You're my last hope.
Save my daughter.
Save her, find out what's wrong with her.
Find a way.
Please...
. . . please . . .
A lump?
On her side?
You've never seen anything like this?
No.
Not once in our country or the Qing territories.
No fever, no pain and a lump that feels like crawling insects.
What could it be?
Parasites, perhaps?
Inside the intestines and infecting the blood?
I thought of that.
But it would have killed her by now.
Then there's nothing else for it.
We have to see her.
Yes, we do.
We have to see her to diagnose her.
So let's get going.
We have to save our countrywoman from those scumbags.
Am I right?
Our countrywoman... A Joseon lady here...
Kwanghyon, Kwanghyon...
No... No, Kwanghyon.
- Nurse. - No, Kwanghyon.
Nurse...
Kwanghyon...
My lady.
Hello. The others?
All here. This way, my lady.
"My lady?" Look at me. Yongdal is fine.
Listen to me. I can't help it.
The name should fit the outfit.
Can't argue with that.
I wouldn't have recognized you, if I didn't know better.
It's not the first time I've dressed like a man.
Let's go, we'll be late.
Right.
Send this. The pharmacies hold a monopoly on blood regulating herbs.
Right away.
There isn't much here.
It's hard to get supplies nowadays.
Use this for the most critical cases.
You've helped us so much.
It's not my money.
I'm just the messenger.
Don't let it bother you.
Thank your lord, whoever he is.
We are in his debt.
Yes, I'll pass it on.
- Let's go. - Sir.
Yongdal.
Another anonymous note.
The police will be here soon.
Hurry. We have to go.
Your Highness.
Three years...
It's been 3 years already.
To think Your Highness is a widow.
Widowed three years now.
I still can't take it all in.
Your Highness.
Don't cry.
Fate, destiny, whatever you call it...
...I had to accept it.
- Your Highness. - Your Highness.
But no longer.
Huh?
Come. I have somewhere to be.
- Your Highness. - Your Highness.
Your Highness...!
Oh, I love this. And this.
And I really love this.
I'm stuck in white mourning frump clothes.
And the other ladies get all this.
Your Highness, someone might see.
Be careful.
Careful? Why should I?
I did my time. Three years of it.
No more.
Now I'll wear what I want, go where I want, live how I want.
Argh...
Your Highness!
Princess.
Eunso.
Come in. Help me pick out something.
The mourning period is over, but all the same...
You're one to talk.
This from the most shameless widow in the capital.
Pardon?
So you can help.
Give me some advice.
Shall I?
All right...
Try this.
People will talk, of course.
So it's best to start with something off-white.
Off-white? Not crimson?
Behave with decorum at first.
Keep your secrets...
...oh-so-secret.
Ah, I see.
You make good sense.
Excellent. Off-white it is.
Pardon me, Your Highness.
Have you heard from Lady Kang lately?
Jinyong?
Prince, Prince, wake up.
Prince, wake up.
Doctor, save the Crown Prince, please.
Doctor, we're counting on you. It's not too late?
I'll do all I can.
My lord.
It's infantile convulsion.
My lord.
Prince, can you hear me?
Your Majesty...
Prince...
Prince... Prince...
Well? Is he all right?
Yes, Sire, the danger is passed.
Well done.
My boy...
Thank you, thank you.
Prince...
Prince, are you all right?
The heavens were with you, my lord.
You knew just the right pressure point.
Amazing, sir.
Enough of that.
Keep an eye on him for signs of fever.
Yes, my lord.
Lord Yi.
A word.
What? The price of blood regulators fell?
By half.
And my pharmacists will be hurting.
As will mine.
This travelling pharmacy is getting serious.
Who are they?
Is there no way to stop them?
Directives for the market.
One to administration, the other to the privy counsel.
My lord.
What is it?
The Chief Physician, sir.
What is the inspector general's office up to anyway?
Father.
This "travelling pharmacy" is undermining the medical offices profits.
And you do nothing?
We're looking into it.
But they keep moving and act in secret. It's not easy.
Your pardon.
Yes, I know you're trying.
But you have to try harder.
This is affecting important people, Songha.
You have to find them.
Yes, sir.
Hello? Anyone there? Hello?
Why won't they open up?
I'm yelling, aren't I?
How 'bout I kick it down?
Should be easy.
What now?
Hello?
I have some lovely items for the lady of the house.
Nice, isn't it?
Who needs it?
Let's step inside and look them over.
Don't be pushy.
C'mon, who says I'm pushy?
Move it, toots.
Wait, wait...
Master...
How did it go?
Not a chance. Even an ant couldn't get in.
What now? We can't wait any longer.
You're right.
We have to see her.
Listen.
I know a way to sneak in.
What?
How?
We'll be invisible.
We'll what?
Uh-oh.
Look.
It's in Heo Jun's Exemplar of Joseon Medicine.
It's all here.
You're referring to the section on Misc. Diseases?
Uh-huh, Heo Jun says if you eat the gallstone of a white dog...
...no one can see you.
Rude AND dense.
You believe that?
He's blowing smoke.
Smoke? From Heo Jun?
Not smoke so much as just folklore.
And the love potion?
The courage notion?
The ghosts lotion?
All so much smoke?
You tried the love potion. How's that working for you?
I thought I made it wrong.
Some disciple I've got.
Heo Jun... Liar!
Master.
I have an idea.
What?
- Be on your guard. - Sir.
Oh? This horse is for me?
Yes, sir, a fine steed as a gift from the magistrate.
Fine. Bring it in.
This way.
Wait. Who are you?
A veterinarian.
To ensure the animal is settled.
Go on.
Do your job and get out.
Yes, sir.
All done?
Yes.
Thanks. Off you go.
What the..?
Well? Rein them in.
You men. Come with me.
Sir.
Lovely, huh? Lovely.
You don't find one like this every day.
It's lovely, just right for you.
You there, come quick.
Master, move, move!
There.
Kwanghyon.
Master, there's no time.
The fragrant herbs excites them.
But it only lasts 30 minutes or so.
I see. Let's go.
You keep watch.
Yes, sir.
Who are you?
Shhh. It's all right. We're here to help.
You're from Joseon?
Yes. We're doctors sent by your father.
My father?
Yes. Master, hurry.
I'll have to examine you,
No. Just go.
I can't show you. I can't show anyone.
Please, my lady.
Calm down and let us examine you.
Please, there's no time.
Please.
No...
This is more than a lump.
This... this is...
Master, what is it?
Is it... is it...?
Explain yourself.
Your pardon.
Sir.
Yes?
Fragrant herbs, sir.
What?
Pull yourself together. Think of your patient.
Master.
Check her pulse.
Well? You said there's no time.
How is she?
Well, how is she?
Her Yin pulse is stronger than the Yang.
And the three pulses are racing.
The Yin is faster than the Yang?
But her pulse... it's...
Check there.
Well?
It's hard and full...
But it's no boil.
And inside...
Inside? What?
But master, it can't be...
Don't say what you know.
Say what you see, what you feel.
What is it?
What's wrong with her?
Go ahead. What's your diagnosis?
She's not sick.
If I go by what I see, not what I know...
...there's nothing wrong with her.
The lump is...
...a fetus.
She's pregnant.
What was that?
Pregnant? I'm having a baby?
I'm pregnant?
What's that? Pregnant?
Master. Kwanghyon.
- Kayong. - Kayong.
Well? What did you just say?
She's pregnant?
That's a baby?
How can that be?
My lord.
Kwanghyon, say something.
Go on.
Well? Spit it out.
It's true. She's pregnant.
The lady is with child.
Impossible.
Pregnant? Carrying the fetus on her waist?
It's quite possible.
Sometimes the uterus splits and one fetus...
...can protrude from the waist.
My lord.
It can't be.
Can it?
Darling.
- My lady. - Darling.
- Her lady broke. - Darling.
Her labor started.
Darling.
EEP, EEP!
Listen, hurry, the baby is coming.
So you, um, warm water.
And you, um, towels, all you've got.
- What did she say? - Who knows?
What the..?
Are you all dense?
Move it already. Move, move!
Oh, look, dumplings... yum...
Anyway, seaweed, seaweed.
And lots of dumplings.
Master, what did you say?
Cut her open?
Yes, if I'm right, and I am...
...normal childbirth will be impossible.
We have to remove the baby.
It's the only way to save the mother and child.
You're going to operate.
Master.
No, oh, no, no.
Cut her open?
I've never done this...
Stupid hair-boy.
Everyone starts somewhere.
You need a first for a second and a third.
Today is your first time.
More importantly, your hands are more nimble than my old claws.
Master.
First time or not, you've been training for this.
I'll be here to help. Believe in yourself.
And save this mother and her child.
Understand?
Do you?
Master.
There.
She's under.
One last time.
What do you do when you make the incision?
First I ensure the knife cuts only the skin.
Next I cut the uterus and remove the fetus.
Next I sew up the uterus and the skin...
...using the patient's hair as suture.
Because the suture will remain in the patient for life.
Yes, exactly.
Quite right.
Let's begin.
First time or not, you've been training for this.
I'll be here to help. Believe in yourself.
About 4 inches.
No, too much pressure.
Again.
Adjust your pressure to the thickness of the skin.
Kwanghyon.
I swear, you ate it all?
I figured out...
...not all noxious weeds are poison.
Everyone's skin is different.
Before an incision I must gauge the thickness of her skin.
And the womb.
Kayong.
Knife.
Here. Your incision must be exact.
The uterine wall is less than an inch.
Any more than that will damage the fetus.
Any more...
...than that.
Try not to worry.
No. I have to see.
What are you doing?
Stand aside! What is this?
You cut her open? You cut stomach?
Master.
Well? Focus. Don't stop.
You're insane. Stop this right now.
Stop. We're operating here.
Operating?
You call killing her "operating"?
Stand aside!
No, don't!
It's the only way to save the child.
Stop now and they're both dead.
Do you want them dead? Or alive?
See for yourself.
This is surgery.
Not death, but life.
No.
You, there! Get in here!
The baby.
Your child.
The child survived.
It's a boy. A boy.
I can't...
How did you...
Sir.
Where's my daughter?
My baby...
Father...
It's me.
Your grandson.
. . . you . . .
Here you are.
Master.
What are you thinking?
Oh, nothing really.
I remembered how it felt.
To hold the child in my hands.
Yes. Now you're a surgeon.
That was surgery indeed.
Not death, but life.
Never forget.
Your surgery today saved two precious lives.
There will be a second time, a third.
You will save many lives with those hands.
Master.
Well? What do you think? Huh?
Another anonymous note.
The police will be here soon.
You're here.
Yes. What brings you here?
Something wrong?
Songha.
It's you.
The one sending the anonymous notes.
Anonymous? How do you mean?
Songha.
I'm sure I have no idea what you mean, I'm...
Yi Songha, you're a terrible liar.
You think I don't know your handwriting?
It must be hard, worrying about me.
No. Don't think that.
I wanted to help you hide...
I'm sorry.
And thank you.
I never said it.
But you've always been a great strength to me.
If you'll pardon my saying...
...without you...
...I probably wouldn't have made it.
But Songha...
Please stop.
If anyone learns you're helping me...
No. I can take care of myself.
I'm prepared to face the consequences.
And you...
Watch yourself. Don't get hurt.
That is something I won't stand for.
Kwanghyon, Kwanghyon.
- Nurse. - Kwanghyon.
- Eunso. - Hello.
Please.
Is it true?
Someone that looks like Kwanghyon was seen in the Qing territories?
Yes, a man I know saw him.
On a boat to Nangbi.
It may just be a coincidence.
But my man saw him with his own eyes.
But we can't say anything until we're sure.
Yes, of course.
It will be worse if we're wrong.
Listen, Eunso.
I should go there.
To the Qing territories?
How?
Illness in the Qing court?
Yes. A member of the imperial family is seriously ill.
We're dispatching a medical mission immediately.
But they have the Imperial Academy of Medicine.
The doctors there haven't been able to treat him.
They have sent not just here, but the north, the south, everywhere.
This will bring us closer, yes.
But it's also a chance to display our country's medical prowess.
Organize a mission of the best and the brightest.
At your command, Sire.
I want you to prepare the acupuncture utensils.
Oh, and find a nurse that speaks their language.
Yes, doctor.
Come along.
Yes, nurse.
I'm the head nurse, I should go.
What do they want her for?
Probably because no one is better with female problems.
No one is what?
So I'm no one, huh?
- C'mon... - No, ma'am.
Now, now, she meant no one but YOU, of course.
Don't take it wrong.
Fine.
You, come with me.
Yes, ma'am.
I swear...
I'm off.
- Mo-o-om. - I know, I know.
Take this.
This, too?
A little something for the road.
Mother, thank you.
Look after yourself.
Watch the water, watch your money.
And watch out for tramps.
I'm glad you'll be with him.
Try not to worry.
Well, then.
It's cold, go in.
Look after my mom for me.
Let's go.
Goodbye, sir.
I swear.
Relax, Taemang will be fine.
He'll be in another country.
He'll come back skin and bones.
He can look after himself.
Don't you worry your pretty little head.
Hands off.
Your hair was messed up.
Uh-huh.
The Qing... The Qing?
Thank you.
I would have lost them through my own stupidity.
How can I ever repay you?
Not at all, sir.
I'm a doctor. I was just doing my job.
No, not really.
Very few doctors can do what you did.
Baek Kwanghyon, you said?
I won't forget.
Joseon may be a small country.
But it is a nation of gifted men.
Take Yi Myonghwan.
I'm told he's chief physician and is heading a medical mission here.
When I heard that I thought of asking him to see my wife...
Pardon me.
What was that?
Yi Myonghwan, you said?
He's coming here?
Here, to this country?
Yi Myonghwan, here?
Yi Myonghwan...
Don't you want to go back?
It was him, Songha.
Stop it. Pull yourself together.
He died. Kwanghyon is dead.
See for yourself.
He's climbing up the ladder?
What's wrong with that? He should work his way up.
What? She has what?
Isn't that what Lord Ko died of?
If you get on his good side, it'll be your chance.
Did you say you want to go back?
Then, what you need is...
...is by treating the Queen.
...the illness that still haunts you.